Millions suspect their neighbours over the surge in doorstep thefts

MORE than 2.7 million people believe light-fingered neighbours are pinching their parcels.

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

The boom in home deliveries has led to a sharp rise in what is being branded porch piracy with an estimated £376.6m losses being recorded in the past year.

It is becoming an increasingly costly crime for homeholders.

Research by Quadient, a parcel logistics company, found the value of package theft in Britain reached an all-time high in the past 12 months, with £376.6m of goods stolen.

The company's study, combined with Freedom of Information requests to police forces, estimated there were 10,910 instances of theft in the past year, but only a fraction of cases are reported to police.

Curtains

The firm said 13% of households have had a parcel stolen in the past year, and that those living in blocks of flats are more likely to be victims since thieves tend to target communal areas where a large number of packages might be available to steal at once.